Comparison of diagnostic BCG test with Mantoux test in children with suspicion of tuberculosis

ABSTRACT

Mantoux's test has been used conventionally in testing for tuberculosis. Some studies have observed that the Diagnostic BCG Test [Bacille-Calmette-Gueurin] gives better results as compared to the Mantoux's test. This study was designed to compare the Diagnostic BCG Test with Mantoux's test in children, with suspicion of tuberculosis, in our set-up. This study was conducted at Paediatric Department of Services Hospital and Post-Graduate Medical Institute, Lahore, from June, 1997 to May, 1998. A total of 100 patients, less than 15 years of age, who either came to the paediatric outpatient department or were admitted in the hospital, having suspicion of tuberculosis, and who had not been vaccinated for tuberculosis, were included in the study. Both the tests were administered simultaneously, and as a result, the BCG test was positive in 81 patients, while Mantoux's test was positive in 50 patients. The BCG test was positive in all of the patients where Mantoux's test was positive. The BCG test was positive in 84% of severely malnourished children while Mantoux's test was positive in only 4.8% of such patients. In tuberculosis meningitis and respiratory tuberculosis, BCG test was more conclusive [85.7% and 90.9%, respectively] than Mantoux's test [14.3% and 45.5%, respectively]. In this study, the Diagnostic BCG test gave a better yield as compared to the Mantoux's test. The difference was more obvious in tuberculous meningitis, respiratory tuberculosis and children with severe malnutrition